Move to develop tourism

A new bridge at Foy's lake to facilitate the movement of visitors.. PHOTO: Zobaer Hossain Sikder

The tourist spots that remained under-utilised for long are now attracting more visitors.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) and private entrepreneurs have implemented some projects to develop the tourist spots.

After upgrading the century-old Foy's Lake, the BPC took initiative to utilise Parkie beach near the Karnaphuli estuary at Anwara upazila. To that end, BPC was going to introduce a cruiser between the up and down streams of the Karnaphuli by this month.

The private entrepreneurs launched pleasure-crafts to take the tourists to different spots that remained beyond reach due to lack of transports or dilapidated condition of the muddy roads.

Private entreprenuers have introduced some sea trucks in Teknaf-Saint Martin's route to cater the need of tourists while a SOLAS (safety of live at sea) SHIP of KEARI Limited - KEARI Sindbad, started plying in this route from February 11.

On the other hand, after handing over of some BPC-run motels to private sector in Cox's Bazar earn revenue several times higher than before.

The management of Laboni, the largest Motel in Cox's Bazar, was handed over to private sector on February, sources said.

Earlier, Upal and Probal were leased out for annual revenue of Tk 60 lakh while Motel Laboni alone would earn revenue of Tk 56 lakh annually.

These motels would earn a very little as required facilities could not be given to the tourists due to administrative complexities, a BPC official said.

With the better facilities, the motels now draw increased number of tourists though they charged a bit higher, he said.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mir Md. Nasiruddin at the inaugural function of the KEARI Sindbad said, the government took various steps to help the tourism industry flourish where any private initiative would be welcomed.

Routine work of BPC resulted in wastage of time for decades when development of tourism through pragmatic steps could contribute significantly to poverty alleviation and economic growth, he said.

Mir Nasir said for further flourishing of tourism all the places with brighter prospect would be brought under his ministry while initiatives were on to introduce a coordinated policy for the industry.

In this regard, he said a secretary-level meeting was held last month and an inter-ministerial meeting among the ministries of land, forest and tourism was scheduled to be held this month.

He said upgrading of Foy's Lake as a lake-cum-amusement park of international standard under a master plan was under implementation.

The lake that had been earning annual revenue of only Tk 4 lakh so far, he said, after BPC took over the charge it rose to Tk 24 lakh.

However, process was underway to hand over Foy's Lake to private sector for upgrading that might cost several crore taka, he said.

Besides, BPC-run Motel Saikat at the city's Station Road would be demolished within a month or two for upgrading it as a tourist hub at a cost of Tk 95 crore.

After implementation of the project in phases Motel Saikat with a 10-storey hotel building, shopping and office complexes and specious car parking facilities would be of international standard, Project Manager Md Rafiqul Islam said.

The hotel building would be a six-storey one in the first phase, he said.

Meanwhile, introduction of KEARI Sindbad is deemed as a remarkable addition to the tourism sector in greater Chittagong. The ship created a new dimension in the field of ship-building for the local shipyards.

Mir Nasir said any such ship built under the local shipyard strictly following IMO rules and regulations would also be allowed to operate in the upstream and downstream of the river Karnaphuli.

KEARI Limited Chairman Mir Kasem Ali said, KEARI Sindbad with its two 365 HP marine diesel engines could move at a maximum speed of 12 knots and able to operate 37 kms into the sea even in the maritime cautionary Signal No 7 to 8.

The 120-ft KEARI Sindbad with 25-ft width and 10-ft depth has a carrying capacity of 246 passengers excluding the crews, he said.

Mir Kasem assured of timely sailing of the vessel with passengers not exceeding the capacity.

KEARI Sindbad would leave Teknaf at 9.30am and 2.30pm to start return journeys at 11.00am and 5.00pm everyday.

The ticket prices would be Tk 300 for lower class and Tk 350 for upper class (each including the return journey).